Ballot-box.



No. 733,070. PATENTED JULY 7, 1903. J. MoGAUGHEY.

BALLOT-BOX.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1B. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented July '7, 1903.

PATENT UFFIQE.

BALLOT-BOX.

- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 733,070, dated July '7, 1903. Q

l Application filed May 18, 1903. SerialNo.157|699. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHNll/ICGAUGHEY, a

citizen of the United States, residing atClear-p field, in the county of Olearfield and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Ballot-Box, of which the following is a specification. l i

This invention relates to certain improvements in ballot-boxes,"and particularlyto ballot-boxes of that general class employed for voting in secret societies and the like.

The principal object of the invention isto provide a novel form of ballot-box in which a secret vote may be taken and the ballot afterward counted without rendering it necessary to handle the balls or other devices used for 4'5 i Similarnumerals of reference are employed balloting purposes.

A further object of the invention is .to provide a novel form of ballot-box in which after the vote has been counted the ballots may be restored to an initial position without the necessity of handling the same.

With these and other objects in view the in-.

vention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, size, and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a box constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the same adjusted to proper position for the casting of the ballot. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the lower portion of the ballot-box, showing the parts adjusted to such position as to permit of the return of the balls or other ballots to the initial compartment. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the box. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective View of a movable partition designed to separate the box into two compartments.

to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The ballot-box 'may be formed of wood or any other material and is preferablyrectangular in form and provided with a suitable handle 1, by which it may be handed in succession to the voters; The opposite sides of the box are provided at a point slightly to one side of the longitudinal center of the box with vertically-disposed slots 3, adapted to receive the opposite ends of a vertically-adjustable partition 4, which divides the box into two compartments 5 and The partition is provided with a small groove 7 in order that it may be conveniently grasped and raised when necessary and at its opposite ends bears against small plate springs S, which serve to hold the same when adjusted to elevated position. The opposite sides of the box are further provided with longitudinal grooves 9 to receive a slidable compartment-cover 10, in which is formed an. opening 11, through which the balls or other balloting devices may be dropped. This cover is of a length approximately equal to one-ha1f ofthe length of the box andwhen adjusted to voting position over the ballot-receiving compartment 5 also fits over the verticallyanovable partition 4 and positively prevents any vertical movement of the same,so that it will be impossible for any deposited ballots to be removed from the compartmentduring the voting; When adjusted to the opposite end of the ballot-box, the cover fits over the initial compartment 6; but as the grooves 3 for the reception of the partition are slightly to one side of the longitudinal center of the box the top of the partition will be free from the compartment-cover and may be readily adjusted to elevated position in order to place the two compartments in communication with each other.

In using the device,the parts being adjusted to the'position shown in Fig. 1, the box is'presented to the voters and ea'chtake's a ballot from the initial compartment 6 and dropsthe same through the opening in the compartment-cover to the ballot-receiving compartment 5. The depth of the box is such as to permit concealing the hand during the voting operation, permitting the ballots to becast without displaying their character to'th'e other voters. During this time the partition 4 is locked in position by the compartment-cover, and it becomes impossible for any ballots to pass from the compartment 5 to the compartment 6. After all of the members have voted the compartmentcover is moved to the oppo Having thus described the invention, what.

is claimed is- 1. In a ballot-box, a plurality of compartments, a movable partition between the two, and a compartment-cover adjustable to aposition over one of the compartments and serving to confine the partition in place.

2. In a ballot-box, a casing, a movable partition dividing the easing into a plurality of compartments, and a compartment-cover adj ustable to a position over either compartment and serving, in one position of adjustment, to lock the partition from vertical movement.

3. In a ballot-box, acasing having 1ongitudinal grooves formed in its inner walls, a vertically-disposed and adjustable partition di- The compartment-cover may then' viding the easing into two compartments, and a compartmentcover adapted to the grooves and adjustable therein to 'a position over either of the compartments, substantially as specified.

4. The combination in a ballot-box,of a casing having longitudinally-disposed grooves formed in its inner walls and arranged slightly above the bottom of the casing, the opposite walls of the casing being further provided with vertically-disposed grooves, a removable partition arranged in the vertical grooves and serving to divide the easing into two compartments, spring for holding the partition when adjusted to elevated position, and a slidable compartment-cover adjustable to a position over either of such compartments.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOl-IN MCGAUGHEY.

lVitnesses: O. L. THOMPSON,

H. E. O. KAUFFMAN. 

